Why Every Minnesota Adult Needs a Health Care Directive
July 8, 2025 | Kate Frederickson
At Barna, Guzy & Steffen, our estate planning attorneys help people plan for a variety of future scenarios. And while many adults wait until later in life to complete their estate planning documents, there is at least one document that anyone over the age of 18 should have: a health care directive. What Is a Health Care Directive? A health care directive is a written document that can do two things: (1) appoint a health care agent to act on your behalf in the event of your incapacity; and (2) outline your wishes regarding your medical care and end-of-life wishes. A health care directive becomes effective upon your incapacity, or when you are unable to communicate your wishes due to illness, injury, or incapacity. Historically, an individual may have needed a living will and/or a variable healthcare power of attorney to articulate their wishes regarding medical care and life sustaining treatment. In Minnesota, now an individual only needs one document, a healthcare directive, to outline all of their wishes and instructions. Why Is It Important for Everyone Over 18? Putting your wishes in writing is the best way to help make sure your preferences are known and followed by family and friends. Many people assume health care directives are only for older adults…
Read MoreMinnesota’s New Boating Law Requirements Begin July 1
June 20, 2025 | Adriel B. Villarreal
Starting on July 1, a new law will require some Minnesota boaters to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit in order to operate a motorboat. The new law, passed in 2023, is designed to increase safety on Minnesota’s lakes and rivers as well as educate people on the environmental impacts of boating. Here’s what you need to know. Who Is Affected? Boaters born after June 30, 2004, aged 12 years or older, will need a valid watercraft operator’s permit to drive any motorboat or personal watercraft. This requirement goes into place on July 1, 2025, but the requirement will gradually extend to older age groups through 2028. People without a permit can still operate a boat as long as there is an accompanying operator on board who does have a permit and is at least 21 years old. Those born before June 30, 1987, will never be required to have a permit unless they rent a motorboat or are serving as an accompanying operator for another person. People younger than 12 years old cannot operate a personal watercraft or motorboat with a motor over 75 horsepower. They can, however, operate a motorboat that is not a personal watercraft and is under 75 horsepower as long as there is an accompanying operator on board….
Read More7 Steps for Getting Started on Your Estate Plan
May 19, 2025 | William F. Huefner
With tax season behind us, now is the perfect time to turn your attention to another important aspect of life planning: your estate plan. Estate planning can seem daunting, but it’s a crucial step in ensuring your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. Follow along with us as we provide some initial steps to help you begin the process. 1. Understand the Basics At its core, estate planning is about making decisions now concerning what happens to your assets after you pass away. This involves several key components: Will: A legal document that outlines how you want your assets distributed after your death. Wills are only used if your estate is subject to a probate court proceeding. Trusts: Legal arrangements that hold assets for the benefit of someone else, often used to avoid estate taxes and a probate court proceeding. Financial Durable Power of Attorney: Designates someone to make financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Advanced Health Care Directive: Specifies your wishes regarding medical treatment if you are unable to communicate. Beneficiary Designations: Designate who will receive specific assets, such as life insurance policies and retirement accounts. 2. Take Inventory of Your Assets Before you can decide how to distribute your assets, you need to know what…
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